A senior Chinese official has confirmed for the first time that authorities are investigating Wang Lijun, the former Chongqing police chief who was whisked away by Chinese security forces after spending a night in the U.S. consulate in Chengdu on Feburary 6.

But those watching live television coverage of the press conference where the announcement was made Friday did not get to hear the first update in three weeks on China’s biggest political scandal, which is overshadowing next week’s annual meeting of the national parliament.

Advertisement

A foreign reporter made use of a rare opportunity to ask about Mr. Wang’s case at a press conference marking the start of the annual session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) – an advisory body to parliament.

But half way through the reporter’s question, state-run China Central Television’s English-language news broadcast abruptly cut to an anchor who began interviewing a political pundit in the studio.

The episode reflects the continued sensitivity around the case, which many analysts believe has tarnished the political career of Bo Xilai, the Chongqing Party chief who appointed Mr. Wang to lead a high-profile crackdown on organized crime.

Mr. Bo had been considered a frontrunner for promotion to the Politburo Standing Committee — the country’s top decision-making body — at a once-in-a-decade leadership change this autumn, but some analysts believe his political prospects are now in doubt.

What television viewers missed was Zhao Qizheng, the spokesman for the CPPCC, saying that an investigation into Mr. Wang was making progress, and he had “asked for leave” not to attend the meeting of parliament, of which he is a member.

“Some media have done reports which are all like jigsaw puzzles, because their information is not complete, and where they’re lacking they rely on their imagination,” Mr. Zhao said, according to reporters at the press conference. “So these jigsaws are all incorrect, and even absurd.”

CCTV eventually cut back to the press conference in time for viewers to hear Mr. Zhao saying Mr. Wang’s case was an “isolated incident” and suggesting that those interested in Chongqing should interview Mr. Bo, who he said would attend the parliament meeting next week.

Mr. Bo usually hosts a press conference at the meeting of parliament – the National People’s Congress – and has used the occasion in the last two years to aggressively promote his signature policies in Chongqing, which also include a campaign to encourage locals to sing Maoist revolutionary songs.

If he hosts a press conference again this year, it could be the first time he faces direct questioning about Mr. Wang’s case, and his remarks will be scrutinized for signals as to whether he, and his controversial policies, have fallen out of favour.

Bo Xilai has not commented in person on the Wang case so far, although his government has said that Mr. Wang was suffering from “stress” and “long-term overwork” and was “accepting vacation-style treatment.”

Local officials have been trying to distance Mr. Bo from the scandal by hinting that Wang Lijun had psychological issues: Huang Qifan, Chongqing’s mayor, told a handful of attendees at a conference in Beijing on Tuesday that Wang Lijun had “pathological” problems.

Cui Zhiyuan, a professor of public policy who is one of the main proponents of Mr. Bo’s “Chongqing model”, also told a China Real Time forum Friday that Mr. Wang was suffering from psychological problems, adding that his case should not damage Mr. Bo’s political career.

— Jeremy Page

CORRECTION: Wang Lijun spent a night in the U.S. consulate in Chengdu on February 6. An earlier version of this post mistakenly said he had spent a night in the consulate in Chongqing. Thanks to a reader for pointing out the error.

About China Real Time Report

China Real Time Report is a vital resource for an expanding global community trying to keep up with a country changing minute by minute. The site offers quick insight and sharp analysis from the wide network of Dow Jones reporters across Greater China, including Dow Jones Newswires’ specialists and The Wall Street Journal’s award-winning team. It also draws on the insights of commentators close to the hot topic of the day in law, policy, economics and culture. Its editors can be reached at chinarealtime@wsj.com.